Great Expectations

What is portable property when Wemmick refers to it? Is he also considered "the post" because of his jaw or is that by mail?

Wemmick's jaw looks like a post office, but when Pip says that he received word from "the post", does that mean from Wemmick or just by mail.

Asked by
Last updated by Sinome A #617432
Answers 2
Add Yours

Portable property is the type of property you can easily take with you. In this case, Wemmick is talking about jewelry.

While he was putting up the other cast and coming down from the chair, the thought crossed my mind that all his personal jewelry was derived from like sources. As he had shown no diffidence on the subject, I ventured on the liberty of asking him the question, when he stood before me, dusting his hands.

"O yes," he returned, "these are all gifts of that kind. One brings another, you see; that's the way of it. I always take 'em. They're curiosities. And they're property. They may not be worth much, but, after all, they're property and portable. It don't signify to you with your brilliant lookout, but as to myself, my guiding-star always is, 'Get hold of portable property'."

Either definition for the post is possible, as I do not know what "word" or context this question pertains to.

"Pretty nigh, old chap. For, as I says to Biddy when the news of your being ill were brought by letter, which it were brought by the post, and being formerly single he is now married though underpaid for a deal of walking and shoe-leather, but wealth were not a object on his part, and marriage were the great wish of his hart—"

____________________________________________________________________

"You have heard of a man of bad character, whose true name is Compeyson?"

He answered with one other nod.

"Is he living?"

One other nod.

"Is he in London?"

He gave me one other nod, compressed the post-office exceedingly, gave me one last nod, and went on with his breakfast.

"Now," said Wemmick, "questioning being over," which he emphasized and repeated for my guidance, "I come to what I did, after hearing what I heard. I went to Garden Court to find you; not finding you, I went to Clarriker's to find Mr. Herbert."

Source(s)

Great Expectations

Bruh. What an answer!!